Evaluate sources - HEN 100 Writing and Language - Dolson - Research Guides at Elizabethtown College

What Are Primary Sources?

Primary sources are the raw materials of history - original documents and objects which were created at the time under study- or original research (experiments, scientific studies, surveys). They are different from secondary sources, accounts, interpretations, or criticism of primary sources or historical events.

-- Adapted from the Library of Congress

Primary Source Examples in the Humanities

Letters and diaries
Historical newspaper and magazine articles (factual accounts)
Government documents, laws, and records
Interviews and oral history
Creative works like music, painting, and literature
Photographs and recordings

Primary Source Examples in the Sciences

Articles reporting on original research--typically in peer-reviewed and scholarly journals
Results of scientific experiments and clinical trials--should typically include research methodology used

Secondary sources, like biographies, histories, and criticism, analyze and interpret primary sources.

Primary Vs. Secondary Resources - Video

Scholarly vs. Popular vs. Trade Publications

How can you tell the difference between SCHOLARLY JOURNAL ARTICLES, POPULAR NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES, and TRADE PUBLICATION MAGAZINES? Here is a table with some key differences.

	SCHOLARLY	POPULAR	TRADE
CONTENT	Academic research Academic reviews Language is formal and can include field jargon Articles are often lengthy	Popular culture Info Current events/ news Language is usually more informal Articles tend to be shorter	Industry/field news Professional interest articles Language is heavy on professional jargon though usually not as formal as a scholarly article Articles are short
INTENDED AUDIENCE	Scholars Researchers Undergraduate/Graduate Students	General public	Industry/Field Professionals
REFERENCES/CITED SOURCES	Always listed and usually extensive Scientific journals include original research info/data	Never (though sources are often quoted within the text)	Sometimes listed but not extensive research cited
AUTHOR/S	Scholars/Researchers	Usually journalists Sometimes scholars or professionals	Usually working professionals (teachers, therapists, etc.) Sometimes scholars within the field
REVIEW POLICY	"Peer-reviewed" by an editorial board of scholars in particular field	Editorial staff, usually made up of journalists	Editorial staff, usually made up of professionals
PICTURES/ADS	Most visuals are graphs or charts with data Some will have a small picture or two but typically have none Usually no or few ads	Frequently contain glossy ads Contain large and numerous pictures to accompany articles	Frequently contain advertisements and some pictures to accompany articles (though not as many as in a popular magazine or newspaper)
EXAMPLES	The American Journal of Psychology The Journal of Asian Studies Journal of Academic Librarianship Occupational Therapy in Mental Health American Music	Time Rolling Stone Scientific American Consumer Reports The New York Times	OT Practice Magazine College and Research Libraries News NEA (National Education Association) Today Magazine Billboard